Ifrah Isse Mohamed
It was never my plan to work in media — but I am thriving in an all-female environment.
Ifrah Isse Mohamed started as an intern with Bilan. She was so good that she is now a permanent member of the team — though media was never where she expected to end up.
"It was never my plan to work in media. I studied political science and international relations, and I hope to be a diplomat one day."
After completing her degree at SIMAD University in Mogadishu, Ifrah struggled to find work. Then she spotted an advert for Bilan's internship programme on Instagram — a platform she had started following after hearing about Somalia's only all-women media house and wanting to know more.
Ifrah was born in Mogadishu and, like so many others, had to flee the city with her family when fierce fighting broke out. She spent several years in the northern city of Hargeisa before returning home.
In her spare time she likes going to the beach, blogging, and listening to audiobooks. "I like non-fiction," she says. "Books about social and economic issues — not politics."
"I am thriving in an all-female environment — but I hope things will change in Somalia, so that men and women can work together as equals."
Her journey, so far
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Mogadishu
Born in the capital, before fierce fighting forces her family to flee the city.
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Hargeisa
Spends several years in the northern city before returning home to Mogadishu.
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SIMAD University
Graduates in political science and international relations, dreaming of one day becoming a diplomat.
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The spark
Discovers Somalia's only all-women media house on Instagram — and applies to Bilan's internship.
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The internship
Joins Bilan as an intern — and quickly proves indispensable.
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At Bilan
Becomes a permanent member of the team, keeping the newsroom's operations running.
"I saw an advert for Bilan's internship on Instagram and applied. I am thriving in an all-female environment." Ifrah Isse Mohamed — Operations, Bilan Media
The person who keeps it all running
Ifrah came to Bilan almost by chance — a political science graduate hoping to become a diplomat, who answered an Instagram advert after months of job-hunting. She stayed because she was too good to lose. Behind every story Bilan publishes is the operational work that makes a newsroom possible, and that is where Ifrah thrives. She hopes for a Somalia where women and men can one day work together as equals — the future she is helping to build from the inside.
About Bilan Media